Trapless steam condensate system



May 12, 1959 A. G. ARBOGAST 2,886,247

TRAPLESS STEAM CONDENSATE SYSTEM Filed Nov. 1, 1957 STEA M 5U PPLY STEAMHEATED EQUIPMENT lN AQALLEI. I8 I 19 /9 /9 PRESSUEFEYIISZULBE. ommcas"'h E Z6 TOVENTEO l5 oewsnre 43 R iwIVER LOW 5102-: PRESSURE NORMALLYIMPULSE LINE OPEN VALVE 42 DIAPHRAGM 4/ CHAMBEZ -4I- HIGH SIDE pzsssurzsm upa LINE) 4 Pl G. .2. 43 5 5/,

33% I I m INVENTOR. ALVA 6. 48806457;

- invention.

United States Patent i 2,886,247 TRAPLFSS STEAM (IONDENSATE SYSTEM A iAlva Gleason Arbogash Charleston, W. va.- Application November 1, 1957,Serial $101,693,944 1 7. c1. 237-9) T This-invention relates to steamutilization systems, and

more particularly to a method and means for removing steam'condensatefrom steam-using equipment and is a continuation-in-part application ofmy pending application Serial No.-683,901, filed September 13, 1957.

- A main object of the invention is to provide a novel and improvedsystem for rapidly removing steam condensate from steam-utilizingequipment of the type em-- ploying the latent heat of steamfor theoperation thereof, thev system involving simple components, requiring nosteam .traps, and providing a higher rate of heat transfer.

to a steam-utilizing device that can be attainedin a systememployingsteam traps.

A further object of the invention is to provide an im-= proved systemfor rapidly removing steam condensate from steam utilizing equipment,the system being arranged so that it provides positive control ofcondensate drainage, thereby permitting a controlled amount of steam tobe withdrawn with the condensate and assuring complete and rapiddisposal of the steam condensate.

' A still further object of the invention is to provide an improvedsystem for rapidly removing steam condensate from steam-utilizingequipment, the system involving relatively inexpensive components, beingreliable in operation,

and: assuring maximum rate of heat transfer to the equipment, wherebythe equipment may be efficiently employed for:.performing processworlerequiring heat transfer.

steam-utilizing system. arranged in accordance with the presentinvention. Designated at 11 is a high pressure steam line leading from asource of high pressure steam, said steam line being connected to asteam header 12 through a manually controlled valve 13. Designated at,

. 14 is an exhaust header which is connected to the condensate drainageline 15 leading to a suitable vented condensate receiver, not shown.

Designated at16 are a plurality of steam-utilizing de-v vices, forexample, heating devices employed in process 1. work, said devicesutilizing the latent heat of the high Thus, the heat transfer.

pressure steam admitted thereto. devices 16 are supplied with live steamfrom the header 12 through inlet conduits 17, as shown in Figure 1, theexhaust steam leaving the devices 16 through discharge i conduits 18.The discharge conduits 18 are connected to the exhaust steam header 14through respective restriction devices 19, similar to those shown andfully described in applicants copending application Serial No. 683,901,filed .September 13, 1957. Thus, the restriction devices 19 .comprisesleeve members provided with internal trans-.

::-A still further object of the invention is to providean improvedmethod and means for rapidly removing steam condensate fromsteam-utilizing equipment of the type employingthela'tent heat of steam,the means being arranged so thatit requires minimummaintenance, has highsensitivity to the presence of live steam in the condensate drain line,responds immediately to the presence of condensate in the drain line torapidly remove the con-- densate, and is especially useful in processwork, such as plastic molding, air heating at high temperatures, contactheating of moving material over a heated platen or roll, orthelike, :or.in other'operations involving the use of extremely high steampressures, the apparatus being charx v Figure l is a schematic view of asteam-utilizing system.

constructed and arranged in accordance with the present Figure 2 isenlarged longitudinal vertical cross sectional view taken. through thecondensate-sensitive impulse amplifying device employed in the system ofFigure 1.

"Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 illustrates a typical verse walls,each formed centrally with a restriction, defin-- ing an orifice, theorifice being calibrated or dimensioned to handle the maximum quantityof condensate that its associated steam utilizing device can produce ina given period of ,timeundera predetermined pressure ditferential acrossthe orifice.

The aforesaid pressure diflerential across the orifices in therestriction devices.19 is controlled by a pressure difierentialresponsive valve, designated generally at 23,

and fully described in the above mentioned copending, application,Serial No. 683,901, entited Trapless Steam Condensate System, The valve23 is connected in the condensate ,drain line 15 and is controlled inaccordance.

with the difference in pressures in the steam line 11 (and steam header12) and the condensate drainage line 15.'

The pressure-responsive valve 23 is of the normally open type andincludes a diaphragm housing 25 containing a diaphragm and havingrespective chambers 39 and- 40 above and belowthe diaphragm thereof. Thedia-. phragm is connected to'a. plunger valve provided-in the plungerhousing 26, spring means, not shown, being providedto bias the plungerof the valve to an open position with respectto its seat. chamber 40 tothe end of the high pressure steam header .12, whereby the high pressuresteam in header 12 acts against the spring means of the valve and tends"to close the valve in accordance with the supply steam pressure.

Thus, increase in pressure: in line 11 normally acts to close the valve,since it acts against the valve spring.

A conduit 42 connects the. upper diaphragm chamber 39 to theintermediate portion of a pressure impulse amplifying device 43-provided in the condensate drainage line 15 between the valve 23 and theexhaust header 14. Thus, the low pressure steam inthe exhaust header 14flows through the line 15 to the device 43 and is transmitted to theupper diaphragm chamber 39 through the conduit 42, acting against thediaphragm and thus sup-. plementing the spring force of the valveplunger, whereby the valve is opened in accordance with the steam pressurein the drainage conduit 15, the net force opposing the spring beingtherefore the diiference between the sup ply steam pressure and thepressure of the steam in the drainage conduit 15.

The pressure impulse'amplifying device 43 comprises a 'main conduitsection 50 connected in the condensate discharge line 15 and contains anozzle member 51 having the reduced discharge spout portion 52 locatedsubstantially axially in the body 50 and discharging downstream, Theconduit 42- is. connected to the intermediate-portion of the body '50namely, toward the condensate receiver.

" at a point forwardly adjacent to the discharge spout 52,

Patented May 12, 1.959-

A conduit 41 connects the lower:

as is clearly shown in Figure 2. Conduit 52 is provided I with the Pitottube 60 which is located forwardly adjacent to the discharge spout 52and faces said discharge spout, namely, faces upstream, as shown inFigure 2. Thus, the Pitot'tube 60 is located relatively close to thedischarge spout 52 and is in a position to receive condensate in motiondischarging from the nozzle member 51.

From the above description it will.be apparent that the total pressureon the impulse line 42 will be the sum of thestatic pressure in the body50 of the pressure impulse amplifying device 43 plus the impulsepressure of the moving condensate and steam discharging 'from the spout52 and being received in the Pitot tube60.

In the absence of condensate, the valve 23 will be regulated only inaccordance with the pressure differential between the supply steam inheader 12-and the exhaust steam in the drainage conduit 15'. Howeverwhensteam condensate. is present in the line 15, the condensatephysically strikes the Pitot tube 60, causing an'increase intheeffective pressure in conduit 42 which is above the normal staticpressure in the body 50 of device 43. This acts to assist the valvespring and to open the valve 23 to a degree beyond its normal position,thus lowering assaaw 0 i ploying the latent heat of steam in the devices16, and

- wherein condensate is likely to develop. 1

the pressure in conduit 15 to further increase the differential pressureacross the orifices in the devices 19, thus producing a further increasein flow which causes a still further increase in the impact pressure ofthe condensate engaging the Pitot tube 60, because of the increasedvelocity of the condensate. This action continues until the valve 23' iswide open, if necessary. The exaggerated opening of valve 23 causes allthe condensate to be quickly blown from theequipment, after which steam,unaccompanied by condensate, will begin to exhaust from theflow-accelerating nozzle 51. The density of steam, as compared with'water, is so low that it does not develop any substantial impactpressure on the Pitot tube 60. This causes the pressure in line 42 todrop back to the static pressure in the body 50*, whereby normaloperation of the. valve 23 is resumed.

Therefore, the presence of condensate in liquid form in the drainageline 15 will cause the valve 23 to be opened beyond the amount which itwould ordinarily open, and if necessary will cause valve 23 to becompletely opened, until the'liquid condensate is completely blown outof line. 15. As soon as the liquid condensate has been eliminated, thevalve automatically resumes its normal condition, wherein the valve isopened to a degree in accordance only with the difference in steampressures between supply header 12 and condensate exhaust line 15.

. It Will be noted that the impulse pressure on the Pitot tube 60 is thesum of the pressure of the steam discharging from the spout 52 and anyliquid condensate which may be present therein. The density of theliquid condensate is much greater than that of the steam, and thereforethe impact pressure developed thereby will quickly cause valve 23 toopen so as to clear out the liquid condensate from the drainage line 15.

As described in applicants copending application Serial No. 683,901, thecalibrated orifices in the restriction devices 19 are employed in placeof steam traps and their flow capacity is controlled by the differencein pressure across the orifices, as set up by the pressuredifferential-responsive control valve 23, in combination with thecalibrated orifices. Positive control of condensate drainage is providedby the adjustment of-the valve 23, as above explained, which permits acontrolled amount of steam to be withdrawn, along with any condensatedeveloping therein, the condensate being quickly eliminated by theaction of valve 23 and Pitot tube 60. Therefore complete discharge ofthe steam condensate is assured and maximum rate of heat transfer in thedevices 16 is obtained.

The invention is especially useful in process work em- While a specificembodiment of an improved trapless steam condensate system has beendisclosed in the foregoing description, it will be understood thatvarious modifications within the spirit of the invention may occur tothose skilled in the art. Therefore, it is intended that no limitationsbe placed on the invention except as defined by the scope of theappended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a system of the character described, a source of high pressuresteam, a condensate drainage line, a steam utilizing device having anintake conduit andan exhaust conduit, means connecting saidintakeconduit to said source, means connecting said' exhaust conduit tosaid condensate drainage line and including a restriction, apressure-responsive valve in said condensate drainage line, means actingto open said valve to a degree in. accordance with the difference inpressures. of said source and said condensate drainage line, and meansto open said valve. of con-;

beyond said degree responsive to the presence densate flowing in saiddrainage line. 1

2. Ina system of the character described, a sourceofl high pressure:steam, a condensate drainage line, a steam containinga diaphragm, meansacting to open said valve to. a degree in accordance with the differencein pressures. on Opposite sides of said diaphragm, respective conduitsconnecting the chambers on opposite sides, of the diaphragm respectivelyto. said source and the .drainage line downstream from said nozzle, anda Pitot tube. connected to the drainage line conduit and facing saidnoz-:

' zle, whereby to open said valve beyond'said degree .re-

sponsive to the presence of condensate flowing in said drainage line.

3. In a system of the character descri'bed,-a high pres sure steam line,a steam-utilizing device havingan intakeconduit and an exhaust conduit,means connecting the intake conduit to the steam line, a condensatedrainage:

line, conduit means connecting said exhaust conduit to said drainageline, a nozzle element mounted insaid drainage line and defining arestriction therein, a pressure. responsive valve mounted in saiddrainage .line 'downstream from said nozzle, means controlling thedegree-of closing of said valve in accordance with the difference. in

steam pressures between the steam line and the portion of the drainageline between said nozzle and the valve, and means opening the valveindependently of said'ditfer ence in steam pressures responsive to thepresence of condensate discharging from said nozzle.

4. In a system of the character described, .a highpres sure steam line,a steam-utilizing device having an intake conduit-and an exhaustconduit, means connecting the intake conduit to the steam line, acondensate drainage line, conduit means connecting said exhaust conduittosaid drainage line, a nozzle element mounted insaid drainage line anddefining arestriction therein, a pressure responsive valve mounted insaid drainage line downstream from said nozzle, means acting .to close.the valve responsive to the steam pressure in said high pressure line,means acting toopen the valve in accordance with the steam pressure inthe portion of the drainage line between said nozzle and'the valve, .andmeans acting to further open said valve responsive to the presence ofcondensate discharging from said nozzle.

5. In a system of the character described, a high presline, conduitmeans connecting said exhaust conduit to said drainage line, a nozzleelement mounted in said drainage line and defining a restrictiontherein, a pressure-responsive valve mounted in said drainage linedownstream from said nozzle, means acting to close the valve responsiveto the steam pressure in said high pressure line, means acting to openthe valve in accordance with the steam pressure in the portion of thedrainage line between said nozzle and the valve and including a conduitconnecting said portion to the valve, and means comprising a Pitot tubein said portion facing the outlet of said nozzle and connected to saidlast-named conduit and acting to further open said valve responsive tothe presence of condensate discharging from said nozzle.

6. In a system of the character described, a high pressure steam line, asteam-utilizing device having an intake conduit and an exhaust conduit,means connecting the intake conduit to the steam line, a condensatedrainage line, conduit means connecting said exhaust conduit to saiddrainage line, a restriction in said last-named conduit means, a nozzleelement mounted in said drainage line and defining a further restrictiontherein, a pressureresponsive valve mounted in said drainage linedownstream from said nozzle, means controlling the degree of closing ofsaid valve in accordance with the difference in steam pressures betweenthe steam line and the por- 6 tion of the drainage line between saidnozzle and th valve, and means opening the valve independently of saiddifierence in steam pressures responsive/to the presence of condensatedischarging from said nozzle.

7. In a system of the character described, a high pressure steam line, asteam-utilizing device having an intake conduit and an exhaust conduit,means connecting the intake conduit to the steam line, a condensatedrainage line, conduit means connecting said exhaust conduit to saiddrainage line, a restriction in said last-named conduit means, a nozzleelement mounted in said drainage line and defining a further restrictiontherein, a pressureresponsive valve mounted in said drainage linedownstream from said nozzle, means acting to close the valve responsiveto the steam pressure in said high pressure line, means acting to openthe valve in accordance with the steam pressure in the portion of thedrainage line between said nozzle and the valve and including a conduitconnecting said portion to the valve, and means comprising a Pitot tubein said portion facing the outlet of said nozzle and connected to saidlast-named conduit and acting to further open said valve responsive tothe presence of condensate discharging from said nozzle.

No reference cited.

